Spiked footwear cleaning tool



Oct. 28, 1958 b. E. SOUTH 2,357,607

SPIKED FOOTWEAR CLEANING TOOL Filed Oct. 15, 1955 flnve'nt'at' Otlo 3. 501.1141

W1 mass b W v J 97 dll'rorng United States Patent SPIKED FOOTWEAR CLEANING TOGL Orlo E. South, Des Moines, Iowa Application October 13, 1955, Serial No. 540,246

1 Claim. (Cl. 15-104) This invention relates to a shoe cleaning device and more particularly to a means for removing mud, snow, and like, from outdoor footwear having spikes, cleats or such shoe traction members.

Outdoor footwear, such as golf shoes, running shoes, hunting shoes, walking shoes, and such, often have spikes, cleats, or like, to facilitate traction. If the ground is relatively dry such shoes function satisfactorily. However, if the terrain is wet or muddy the spikes or cleats, instead of functioning as intended, even encourage the clinging of mud and like to the soles and head of the footwear. Such mud conditioned shoes are most difiicult to clean inasmuch as they cannot be scraped clean as is possible with shoes not having such traction lugs.

Therefore, one of the principal objects of my invention is to provide an eflicient tool for cleaning mud, snow, and like, from footwear having traction lugs.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a spiked shoe cleaner that is easily carried on the person using such footwear.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a spiked shoe cleaner that has flexible resilient fingers for conforming to spaces between the spikes thereby easily and quickly removing foreign matter from and between the spikes.

Still further objects of this invention are to provide a traction lugged shoe cleaner that is economical in manufacture, durable in use and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangements, 1

and combination, of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in my claim, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my device in collapsed condition,

Fi 2 is a plan view of my shoe cleaner, extended, and illustrating the method of how it is used to clean outdoor footwear, and

Fig. 3 is a side view of the outer end portion of the device in closed condition and suspended from the belt, trouser top, or like, of the user.

While my device may be used for cleaning all types of outdoor footwear, I shall describe it as particularly adapted to footwear designated by the numeral and having the spikes or lugs 11. The numeral 12 designates the base handle of my device. This portion 12 may be of any suitable shape or design. However, in the drawings I show the part 12 in the shape of a shoehorn. Secured to the rear end portion of the part 12 by any suitable manner such as by soldering, spot welding, or

, 2,857,607, Fatemed Oct. 28, 1958 like, are three spring rod fingers 13, 14 and 15, as shown in Fig. 1. These three resilient flexible rod fingers extend away from the part 12 and normally spread away from each other as they progress forwardly as shown in Fig. 2. The forward free end portions of these three spring rod fingers are bent laterally at right angles thereto to provide the three claw portions 16, 17 and 18, as shown in Fig. 1. The numeral 19 designates a sleeve slidably embracing the lengths of the fingers 13, 14 and 15. When this sleeve is slid rearwardly and toward the part 12, the fingers 13, 14 and 15 are free to flex and to spread apart. When the finger rods are so freed the device is extended for use. However, when the sleeve 19 is slid forwardly the fingers will be forced together in compact relationship. This contracted condition renders the tool inoperative for use and facilitates its carrying by the user. A hook portion 20 may be on the sleeve 19, to hook over the belt, top of the trousers, pocket or like of the user.

To use my device, the tool is removed and the sleeve 19 slid rearwardly as shown in Fig. 2. With the spring fingers and claw portions released, the tool is used by pulling the claw portions across the sole and heel of the shoe. The claw portions due to the flexibility of the finger rods 13, 14 and 15 will move laterally to pass around the shoe spikes. The foreign matter packed between the spikes or cleats and on the sole and heel of the shoe will be effectively clawed off by the use of my light weight portable tool. With the shoe unburdened of such foreign matter, it will not only be lighter of weight, and more flexible in use, but the spikes will be clean and again effective in serving as traction means. The shoehorn 12 provides a flat curved sheet handle that takes little room when the device is carried or stored.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of my spiked footwear cleaning tool without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claim, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim:

In a footwear cleaning tool, a handle, a plurality of spring finger rods extending forwardly from said handle and normally spreading away from each other as they progress forwardly; each of said rods having its forward end portion bent at an angle in the same direction to form a claw, a keeper sleeve collar slidably embracing all of said rods capable of drawing all of said rods together when slid forwardly away from said handle, and a hook member on said keeper sleeve collar for automatically causing said collar to slide forwardly on said rods and drawing them toward each other when the tool is suspended by said hook.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 839,057 Cooper Dec. 18, 1906 1,200,160 Bonnett Oct. 3, 1916 1,237,826 Satterquist Aug. 21, 1917 1,909,754 Carlson May 16, 1933 2,149,429 Finkes Mar. 7, 1939 2,529,012 Gleekman Nov. 7,1950

FOREIGN PATENTS 599,984 Great Britain Mar. 25, 1948 

